Chapter 194: “Phoenix Seeks its Mate”, Love Rival, What Are You Trying to Do?
What could be considered an equal trade?
What kind of thing could be exchanged for the folding fan in her hand, something that would make her happy?
No doubt about it. Absolutely, the only thing that could match it would be the other special item prepared by the event organizers. The round fan meant for a graceful lady.
And yet, she wasn’t going to take the folding fan just yet!
[What is she waiting for?]
Then, a laid-back, careless-looking boy appeared.
There was no helping it, Xia Changyu showed up wearing a tank top. Even though he was handsome, his first impression was still that of someone who didn’t take anything seriously.
But the truth was, he was actually really good at a lot of things!
When he walked past Lin Yibai, she softly said, “I’ve rarely received gifts from boys in my life. But if you give me one today, I think I’ll be very happy.”
In her short life as a girl, she had almost never received a gift from a boy.
As for her time as a boy?
Gifts exchanged between boys? What’s the point?
If you gave someone a gift back then… You’d basically be accepting them as your son and calling yourself their godfather!
So Xia Changyu smiled to himself, thinking, ‘What kind of talent performance should I do?’
Wearing just a tank top, should he try acting like Colonel Sanders (Founder of KFC) and rip off his shirt while shouting ‘Oh, I pluck your feathers’?
Yeah, no. That would completely destroy his image.
Luckily, the event organizers had everything ready, clothes and props and all. Since Lin Yibai had worn a long-sleeved traditional dress, why couldn’t he dress like a scholarly young man? Or maybe a heroic young swordsman?
[What’s that guy doing? If you can’t perform, get off the stage!]
[He’s wasting time.]
[It’s too hot. I don’t want to see him.]
[……]
In this society, people are very forgiving toward girls. But for boys, it’s not the same. Especially when you look closely at who’s complaining the most. Surprisingly, it’s mostly other guys.
They gave Lin Yibai five full minutes to change clothes. But for Xia Changyu, other boys couldn’t even wait five seconds without getting annoyed.
Even the host didn’t know how to calm the crowd.
Then Lin Yibai frowned and pointed directly at one of the loudest complainers. She said, “If you’re so impatient, why don’t you go up there and take his spot? Beat him in the performance. Don’t just stand here complaining.”
Don’t give me that nonsense about “air-conditioning reviews” or “profit margins on A/C production.”
Right now, this is a stage where anyone can perform, as long as you sign up.
Have you ever played Elden Ring?
This is like the Haligtree Grand Stage. If you’ve got the guts, get up here.
So the crowd below quickly quieted down. But from the girl’s reaction, they could tell something was going on.
There was clearly something special between that girl and that boy. Otherwise, why would she defend him so strongly?
And then people began to wonder. Is that boy really good enough to deserve the way she protects him?
Xia Changyu had changed into a traditional outfit that made him look like a young nobleman. He had seen everything the girl had done and said. Right now, his heart was full of joy and a strong desire to do something in return for her.
If she protected him like a “wife,” Then he would treat her like a “queen.”
Xia Changyu had grown up with his mother, who was a talented musician. So he knew a bit about music. His first idea that came to mind was to play a famous song called “Phoenix Seeks its Mate.”
It’s based on the love story of Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun, and is considered a classic tale of romance in Chinese history.
“There is a beautiful lady, whose image I can’t forget. If I don’t see her for just one day, I miss her like crazy. Like a phoenix flying in search of its mate across the world…”
………………………………
But then, in the middle of the performance, the music suddenly stopped.
Xia Changyu’s eyes widened. He had suddenly remembered another famous poem: “Song of the White Hair.”
The poem expresses the sorrow and resentment of a woman who feels abandoned or whose love has faded, symbolized by the white hairs of old age appearing while her love has not endured. It's a powerful lament about lost love and broken promises.
Now Xia Changyu was full of regret. Terrible regret.
He realized he had made a huge mistake. He picked the wrong song for this moment.
‘Damn it! That poem was written because the guy tried to take a second wife! I’m not a cheater! That poem totally ruined my plan!’
You see, “Song of the White Hair” was written by Zhuo Wenjun after she heard that Sima Xiangru wanted to marry another woman. She wrote it to stop him.
Now Xia Changyu panicked.
‘I hope Lin Yibai doesn’t misunderstand me. I’m really not that kind of guy. I just want one true love. To grow old with one person.’
But the show had to go on.
So instead of continuing with the original song that might cause confusion, He quickly switched to another beautiful and more widely accepted song called “Return.”
The soft, flowing melody completely drew people in.
And as for what Lin Yibai thought of it?
Well… she had no clue. She wasn’t a music student. She didn’t even know the first song was “Phoenix Seeks its Mate.”
When the performance ended, Lin Yibai was the first person to start clapping.
What could she do? No one else loved or cared about him. If she didn’t support him, who would?
At that moment, the host walked over and asked, “That was a wonderful performance. You totally deserved the grand prize. But I do have one question.”
Xia Changyu: “Go ahead.”
The host asked, “If I’m not wrong, you started by playing ‘Phoenix Seeks its Mate,’ right? Why did you suddenly change songs in the middle?”
Xia Changyu replied, “‘Phoenix Seeks its Mate’ is a love story. I wanted to use it to express my feelings for the girl I like.”
The host leaned in, looking both curious and a bit nervous. “Then why did you stop? Did you… suddenly stop liking her?”
Xia Changyu said, “It’s not that I don’t love her. It’s just that I believe I can do better than Sima Xiangru. Everyone knows that when Sima Xiangru loved someone, it was true love. But when he stopped loving them, he really stopped. If it were me showing love to my wife…”
The host asked, “Then how would you do it?”
Xia Changyu looked at Lin Yibai. After a long pause, he said firmly, “I would love only one person my whole life and treat her like a queen until the very end.”
The host said, “Well said!”
Now, no one could deny the special connection between Lin Yibai and Xia Changyu. Even though he was just playing the role of a temporary “boyfriend,” He used this chance to express his real feelings again.
And Lin Yibai?
Well… She accepted the confession openly and calmly this time.
She didn’t argue or deny it. She just looked a little shy.
The host, feeling inspired, brought out both the folding fan and the round fan. Symbols meant for the “talented gentleman and graceful lady.” They were meant to be exchanged between couples.
Now, the fans were a perfect match, and maybe even “meant to be.”
The two of them exchanged the beautiful gift boxes, and so many people were there to witness it!
Lin Yibai felt her heart beat a little faster. She whispered softly to herself, “If I really were a girl… If things stayed like this… If it’s him… Then maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.”
Falling for someone doesn’t happen in just a moment. It’s like water wearing down a rock. A slow, quiet change that builds over time. Until all those little thoughts turn into one.
“If it’s him… then maybe that’s okay.”
After Xia Changyu returned the costume, he realized something important. Love isn’t something that can follow a schedule.
All his plans were messed up. He missed the cold drinks at the old street café. And all the tickets and scheduled activities were useless now.
But!!!
Just from that short moment of love and happiness, Xia Changyu could confidently say, ‘That was 100 times better than anything I had planned today.’
Just then, the girl put her hands behind her back. And in her fingers, hidden behind her, she was still holding the gift bag with the round fan inside.
She walked up and lightly bumped her arm against his.
She seemed like she wanted to say something.
Lin Yibai: “Hey, hey.”
Xia Changyu: “Yeah? What’s up?”
Lin Yibai kept her hands behind her and looked up at the sky. After a long pause, she said, “Since we’re supposed to be a couple right now… How about you hold my hand? What do you think?”
Xia Changyu replied, “Wouldn’t it look weird if I was the one holding your hand?”
Lin Yibai: “What do you mean by that? So are you going to or not?”
Xia Changyu: “No.”
Lin Yibai: “Why not?”
Xia Changyu smiled and said, “Because you’re too short.”
Lin Yibai glared at him and huffed, “I’m 170 cm tall with long legs! That’s not short! And also… go die!”
The way they talked to each other was becoming more and more natural. They really did look more and more like a couple.
They weren’t lovers, but they were something even sweeter.